in that direction as rapidly as her somewhat limited supply
of coal permitted.

"I don't think the navy will ever find its way into Port Arthur harbor,"
said Larry, later on, after studying a map of that locality. "There are
too many forts on the hills outside of the town. They could smash our
ships to smithereens if we got too close."

"Trust Admiral Togo to know what he is doing," answered Steve Colton.
"He won't go too close. At the same time he ain't going to let the
Russian ships get away any more than Schley and Sampson let Admiral
Cervera get away from Santiago Harbor in Cuba."

"It's the army that will make Port Arthur a hot place to live in," came
from Bob Stanford. "They can entrench and thus gain a little ground day
by day, and as soon as they win some high point, like say 203-Meter
Hill, it will be all up with General Stoessel, mark my words."

The night to follow proved to be misty, and so cold that the majority of
the sailors were glad to don their heavy peajackets. Fearing that the
enemy would try to take advantage of the weather, Admiral Togo turned on
all the searchlights his fleet possessed, and these were flashed in all
directions.

"False alarm," said Luke, after midnight had sounded out on the ship's
bell. "Reckon the Russians don't dare to come out."

But the old Yankee tar was mistaken. The enemy were on the alert, and at
three o'clock, when the mist was extra heavy, the movement to steal out
of Port Arthur harbor was begun, two torpedo destroyers taking the lead,
and several cruisers following. This brought on a heavy sea-fight
lasting far into the next day, and one which came close to cost Larry
his life.

CHAPTER XXVI

BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY

For several days poor Ben remained a prisoner aboard of the small
steamer. During that time only two men came near him--an under officer
and the sailor who supplied him with food and water. Neither would
answer his questions, so he could not learn where he was being taken or
what was to be done with him.

One evening there was a slight commotion on the deck, and the course of
the steamer was changed. Then came a blowing of steam whistles lasting
several minutes. Finally the steamer came to a standstill.

"You are to leave this vessel at once," said the under officer, as he
opened the door of the young captain's temporary prison. "Come, we have
no time to spare."

"Where am I to go?" questioned Ben.

"You will soon learn. Hurry!